Another great retreat in Racine

In the beginning of October, it was once again time

for a quilt retreat at my favorite place, in Racine, Wisconsin, at

the Siena Retreat Center.

I enjoy coming here, as it is a place where you can find peace

and energizer among friends and the beautiful scenery.

This time Kathy and I had decided to do something special

for the sisters that reside here.  We had talked about making

mug rugs for them.  I ran with the idea.  Kathy provided ideas, fabric

 and some of the hand sewing..  In all a little over 100 mug rugs were made.

We were still finishing them up when we arrived.

Here are a few of them.

This was great fun working on this.  The ideas became endless once we got started
making them.You could use orphan locks, paper piecing technique, string piecing, and applique.
It was a great way to use up extra one patch designs that you had already cut,
like squares, tumbler blocks, flying geese. 
The above picture show all on display.

We gave them all to one of the administrators for distribution.
We knew in advance that we needed 78, but had decided to make the extra.
This way if there was a variety for the sisters to choose from.
This was our way to pay it forward.

The weather was the warmest we had had for October.
Lake Michigan stayed calm the whole time we were there.

Sea glass is always one of our top things to do beside sewing.

It is so nice that we each get our own space to work in.
We do manage to bring a lot of projects and things to work with.
Amazing what we can all accomplish while we are there.

Down on the beach, sometimes to meditate, sometimes to just sit and enjoy
the scenery.

It just does not get any better.

I checked out birds. There are a lot of great walking trails
through the property.

You just never know what is brought to the beach by the lake.

It was a great few day to get away and enjoy the company of quilting friends.
I hope you got to have a few days like this for yourself.

Mary